"I'll repeat what I've just said," he answered. "What do you
mean by that?"

"I hear things," said Bryce. "People will talk--even a doctor
can't refuse to hear what gossiping and garrulous patients
say. Since she came to you from school, a year ago,
Wrychester people have been much interested in Miss Bewery,
and in her brother, too. And there are a good many residents
of the Close--you know their nice, inquisitive ways!--who want
to know who the sister and brother really are--and what your
relationship is to them!"

"Confound their impudence!" growled Ransford.

"By all means," agreed Bryce. "And--for all I care--let them
be confounded, too. But if you imagine that the choice and
select coteries of a cathedral town, consisting mainly of the
relicts of deceased deans, canons, prebendaries and the like,
and of maiden aunts, elderly spinsters, and tea-table-haunting
curates, are free from gossip--why, you're a singularly
innocent person!"

"They'd better not begin gossiping about my affairs," said
Ransford. "Otherwise--"

"You can't stop them from gossiping about your affairs,"
interrupted Bryce cheerfully. "Of course they gossip about
your affairs; have gossiped about them; will continue to
gossip about them. It's human nature!"